Bits 'n' Pieces

Robotic Assisted Joint Replacement Surgery

The MemorialCare Joint Replacement Center at Long Beach Medical Center continues to lead the way in advanced orthopedic care as its medical director, Andrew Wassef, M.D., successfully completed his 2,000th Mako robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery.

This milestone highlights Dr. Wassef’s expertise and skill and continues to position Long Beach Medical Center as a community hospital on par with major academic medical centers offering advanced technology, expert physicians and a compassionate care team. Long Beach Medical Center’s pursuit of quality metrics, patient satisfaction and better outcomes, underscores this major milestone.

“Reaching this milestone is not just about the number of surgeries – it’s about the thousands of lives we’ve helped improve through advanced technology and patient-centered care,” says Dr. Wassef. “The Mako system has transformed joint replacement, allowing us to provide greater precision with less invasive procedures. With the help of Mako, we can take each patient’s specific anatomy into account, resulting in better patient outcomes.”

The Mako robotic-assisted system provides unparalleled precision in knee and hip replacements, tailoring each procedure to the patient’s unique anatomy. By utilizing real-time data and 3D mapping, the technology enhances surgical accuracy, leading to faster recovery times, improved outcomes and greater long-term mobility for patients.

Dr. Wassef performed the 2,000th procedure on Jacqueline, a 75-year-old patient receiving a Mako-assisted left knee replacement. After years of severe knee pain and limited mobility, Jacqueline is experiencing a smooth recovery and is expected to return to a more active, pain-free lifestyle thanks to the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery.

“Dr. Wassef was strongly recommended to me for his expertise with Mako by someone I knew, which made me feel more confident moving forward with my procedure,” says Jacqueline. “His surgical skill is matched by his compassion; he genuinely cares for the patient’s overall well-being, not just the joint. Thanks to his care, I am excited to walk with confidence and ease again.”

The Joint Replacement Center at Long Beach Medical Center provides comprehensive joint replacement services, including pre-operative education, personalized surgical plans and post-surgical rehabilitation. The center specializes in hip, knee, shoulder and ankle replacements and is led by top orthopedic specialists. Recognized as one of Newsweek’s America’s Best Orthopedic Hospitals, the center is at the forefront of robotic-assisted surgery, offering innovative solutions for faster recovery and improved quality of life. Utilizing Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery, they ensure precise, quick-recovery outcomes, with most patients moving the same day and returning home within two days.

Internship Opportunities

The Long Beach Economic Development Department (EDD), in partnership with City Prosecutor Doug Haubert, is offering a paid summer internship program for students. The program will provide eligible high school and college students with valuable, real-world experience in the legal and justice career fields.

The six-week paid internship program offers participants exposure to various legal career paths. Participants will have the opportunity to attend legal seminars and court proceedings while acquiring practical experience by assisting attorneys or staff with administrative duties. They will also learn about the justice system and different roles in the field, including deputy city prosecutor, paralegal, law enforcement officer, crime lab technician and dispatch operator. Compensation will be biweekly at a rate of $17.28 per hour, for a total of up to 160 hours, which includes 20 hours of paid skill development training.

“The city prosecutor internship was created to go beyond the typical internship experience and expose students to many law-related careers, while also examining the social issues involved in the criminal justice system,” said City Prosecutor Doug Haubert. “Our program aligns well with the city’s efforts to increase the number of internships available to local youth.”

The program is open to applicants ages 16 to 24 who are currently enrolled in high school or college with a minimum 2.7 GPA. Priority will be given to applicants who are residents or students in Long Beach and those who face a barrier to employment. Participants must have access to a reliable mode of transportation. For additional information and to complete an application, visit the city prosecutor’s website. Applications are available through Tuesday, April 8.

“We are focused on empowering youth by providing them with unique and invaluable opportunities,” said EDD Director Bo Martinez. “This program harnesses the innovative spirit and passion of our young people while offering the essential guidance and practical experience needed to excel professionally and make a meaningful and long-lasting impact in their communities.”

This is the tenth consecutive year the city prosecutor’s office has offered this internship opportunity. The program has provided critical job skills and practical work experience to more than 100 young people, significantly enhancing the employability of participants. The program is funded by the Los Angeles County’s Youth@Work Program.

For additional information about the program and other youth and adult employment services, the public may contact Eli Romero, workforce development officer, at (562) 570-3762 or Eli.Romero@longbeach.gov.

Port Awards $1.1M in Community Sponsorships

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has awarded $1,138,300 in sponsorships to 320 local nonprofit organizations through the Port of Long Beach Community Sponsorship Program, marking the largest award and highest number of recipients in a single call to date.

The Community Sponsorship Program supports events and projects centered on the environment, education, social justice, the arts and historic preservation while also informing residents about port operations and initiatives.

“The sponsorship program provides us with an opportunity to showcase how the Green Port benefits the community while also serving as a partner to our local nonprofit groups,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “It’s an honor to support the diverse programs and events staged by these dedicated organizations.”

“Our sponsorships demonstrate a commitment to broaden opportunities that allow our community to grow and thrive,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. “We are proud to see how this program continues to flourish while supporting organizations that go above and beyond to make a difference for their neighbors.”

The port received a record high of 345 applications in January for this round of sponsorships, 41% of which were first-time requests. The Harbor Commission has approved a $3 million sponsorship budget for fiscal year 2025, with applications accepted in January, May and September.

The next open application period for sponsorships will be May 1-30. More information about the Community Sponsorship Program can be found at www.polb.com/sponsorships.

Over $200K to 3 Nonprofit Organizations Awarded

Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center (SMMC) hosted its annual Community Grant Awards Luncheon this week, reaffirming its commitment to improving health and well-being in the Greater Long Beach area. The event, held at the hospital, showcased SMMC’s dedication to addressing the health needs of the community. During the luncheon, the hospital awarded over $200,000 to three local nonprofits, further supporting initiatives that positively impact the region.

“A core element of our mission is giving back, and we take pride in sustaining our support for organizations that go the extra mile to address the diverse needs of our community,” said Carolyn Caldwell, hospital president and CEO. “These collaborations empower us to take on the intricate health and human challenges faced by our Long Beach community.”

Long Beach Rescue Mission received funding to support its continued operations, which include providing shelter, food and essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness. The mission offers a range of programs aimed at helping individuals rebuild their lives, including job training, addiction recovery support and educational resources.

The second grantee, Mental Health America of Los Angeles, received funding for its HealthLink program. This program provides comprehensive mental health services and support to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, helping to improve access to essential care.

The third recipient, Precious Lamb Preschool, was awarded a grant to support the continuation of essential services for families experiencing homelessness in Long Beach. These services include grief counseling workshops for parents facing homelessness, as well as trauma-informed workshops for staff.

“Through our investments in these organizations, we aim to cultivate a sense of inclusion and comprehensiveness,” continued Caldwell. “Our objective is to provide the community with the necessary resources and support essential for leading healthy, prosperous lives, while also minimizing the likelihood of significant future health interventions.”

Dignity Health’s Community Health Improvement Grants program has awarded over $100 million to support health improvement projects since its inception in 1991. This long-standing initiative has been instrumental in addressing the diverse health needs of communities across the region. For more information, please visit https://www.dignityhealth.org/about-us/community-health.

Keep Blood Supply Blooming: Give Now

This April, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give lifesaving blood or platelets now as seasonal travel ramps up. The impact of busy spring calendars comes on the heels of an incredibly challenging winter, during which tens of thousands of blood products went uncollected due to weather.

With upcoming holiday celebrations and record-breaking spring break travel expected in the coming weeks, donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets.

Blood has a shelf life of only 42 days. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential to patient care. Spring plans can disrupt normal giving patterns, but the need for blood is constant.

Help hope bloom this spring – book a time to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

All who come to give in April will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three lucky winners. Additionally, those who come to give April 1-13, 2025, will receive a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. All who come to give later in the month, April 14-30, 2025, will receive an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. See RedCrossBlood.org/Hope for details on all three offers.